We do have one space available in our squad, so we could in theory recruit a free transfer to fill it. If he was fit and ready, I would be on the phone to Antonio's agent. But he must surely be the total opposite of that. He's presumably barely kicked a ball since his road accident, and I don't even know if he's capable of resuming his career at any level of professional football.
Poch doesn't pick him for the national team. I don't think Poch has ever actually ever picked him in a starting eleven. Yes he has made the US squad, presumably because Poch wants to get a look at him. But he clearly hasn't impressed that much, if he never makes the starting line up.
I don't expect him to be the next Alan Shearer. I'd just like to see him do the very minimum. Chase down a defender, pressure the keeper, heck, just... sprint for once. Instead he just jogs around doing nothing. One of my favourite ex-players is Shane Long, and one of my fave current players is Adam Armstrong. Neither were exactly what you would call quality strikers, but their effort was second to none. Ross Stewart has been injured for two years and probably has a voice in his head telling him every time he sprints he will pull a muscle, and yet he busts a gut for the team. I can't stand the lack of effort.
As a sub. He hasn't started any games, which is what I stated in my post. Poch obviously needs to give him some minutes to see what he is like. And yet he hasn't started him in any games (as far as I'm aware).
I never actually watched Ballard, so I don't know. But yeah, his numbers definitely looked good. It just strikes me as so strange that we lose talented youngsters like Ali Gomes, Jimmy-Jay Morgan, Kamari Doyle, because we aren't willing to offer them a higher salary or a place on the bench, and yet then we go and throw money on players like Mara and Downes, and chuck them straight into the first team. We could save so much money, and make so much money, if we just invested the money from half of these dud transfers, on the talented young players in our academy.
We need/want to change the playing culture, need more players in/out etc, and people already want to rip it all up? Yo-Yo'ing between leagues would be a disaster and squad turnover wouldn't be able to keep up, leading us to the place we are now (if not even worse). Still had 2.5 excellent seasons in Ligue 1 (Top 5 League), with results against most of the bigger French teams to boot. He was actually the most sensible Sport Republic pick to date for me. Leicester signed QPR's manager to lead them, completely left field, and he's doing well for them in the early part of the season. If SR did that, the fans who complained about Stills hiring would be having kittens. It may not work out for Still and us, but the reactions, as always, are well over the top.
Who I wouldn't be going anywhere near. Doesn't offer the hold up, physical qualities that we need. And Archer is a vastly better finisher than Bamford imo.
I don’t think it’s spiteful to say a player won’t amount to anything. He’s paid more in a week than many earn in a year. Being a professional footballer comes with privilege but also public scrutiny.
You don’t half chat some bollocks Anyone with eyes can see how bad he is. He can’t even jump and head the ball, control it, or pass it five yards. You’re not being virtuous by pretending he’s good. You’re just embarrassing yourself (again)
